Ditching-machine.



1%. WMM. PMENTED'NOV. 29,1904.. J. W. www;

ummm Mmmm.' APYLIATIGH FILED/JUNE 3, 1904.

in the position shown in Fig. II. The bucket 5 is then dropped suddenly, severing a section 27 of spoil; but to guard against movement ofthe scoop 17 when the bucket 5 is descending I provide a swinging latch or detent 28, pivoted at 29 and engaging the rib 30 on the back of the scoop 17 by a notch 32, thus locking the scoop 5 in its open position, as before explained. This swinging latch or detent 28 is disengaged by a pivoted tripping-bar 33, to which is attached a cord 34, that passes over .the pulleys at 35 and 37 and is attached to a WeightI 38, that slides loosely on the vertical guidingbar 39. Vhen the bucket, 5 is dropped, the weight 38 slides upward on the bar 39; but the resistance thus offered is not enough to move lthe trip 33 and disengage the latch 28. During the ascent of the weight 38 it, however, by its momentum overruns the distance moved by the bucket 5, and then by its recoil in falling back lgives a sudden jerk on the cord 34 and releases the latch 28,

thus acting automatically. The bucket being then filled the rope or chain 9 is wound on the drum 13 and closes the scoop in the following manner: This rope 9 is attached at 42 to a curved lever extension 40, fastened to and projecting from the rear of the scoop 17. This curved extension 40, moved by the'rope or chain 9, causes the scoop 17 to close forcibly and holds it in that position by reason of its relation to the pivotal center at 19 and also by reason of the defiecting-pulley 10. A direct vertical draft by the rope, it is found, will not hold the scoop 17 securely closed, and the angle produced by the pulley 10 is essential to safe Working. After closing the scoop 17 motion of the rope or chain 9 is continued and assumes the whole weight of the bucket and its load, which are then raised and swung on the derrick e until over the place of deposit. Then the weight of the bucket is transferred to the rope 22 by winding the latter on the drum 13, the scoop 17 is opened` by action of the rope 2Q to the position shown in Fig. II, the spoil is discharged, and, the apparatus is again in position for another operation, as has beenl described. ,G

In this construction it may be seen that the guiding-spars 7 being bolted within the buckets contour and the path of the curved vextension 4Q being also within the bucket,

nothing on the exterior of the latter offers obstruction to its descent through the spoil, and complete sections 27 can be cut out and raised whether from the surface 25 or a lower leve Having thus explained the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as 'ne'w, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In ditching apparatus, apontoon orother support, a galloWs-frame and pivotally-mounted derric-k thereon, an open-sided dredgingbucket suspended on the derrick, a scoop to open and close the bottom and open side of the bucket, means to open, close, lower and ,raise the same, anda latch to automatically lock and release the scobp'in its open position, vsubstantially as specified.

2. In ditching apparatus, a gallovvs-frame, swinging derrick and dredging-bucket suspended thereby, the bucket Aintegrally formed of a single plate with an open side and bottom and upwardly-projecting lugs also integrally formed therewith and guiding-spars attached thereto inside the buckets contour, in the manner s bstantially as specified.

3. In, ditching apparatus, an excavatingbucketI open at one side and at the bottom, an oscillating scoop formed of a bent plate` centrally pivoted to close the open side when open, and 4to close the open side and body when closed, separate means for opening and means for holding the scoop in its open position until released, substantially as specified.

4. In ditching apparatus, an excavatingbucket with an open side and bottom, guidclose the. scoop and raise the bucket, a rope to open the scoop, a latch or detent 'to automatically engage the scoop and hold it open, and trip devices operated by a recoiling weight to automatically operate the trip and release the latch or detent,l in the manner substantially as specified.

7. In ditching apparatus, an excavatingbucket formed from a single plate bent to a drical back and sides, leaving an openy side and bottom, a pivoted scoop to close said open side and bottom, curved ,on its anterior edge to lit the curved contour of the fixed back and sides, means for opening said scoop, and independent means for positively and forcibly closing said scoop acting at all times at right angles to the radius of oscillation, substantially as specified.

to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J. WARREN DUITON.

Witnessex HENRY C. DROGER,

ELMER Wloxns.

closing the same respectively, and locking and bottom of the bucket, a rope or chain to' curved form to form an approximately cylining-spars to hold the bucket in a vertical position attached to lugs formed integrally with- IOO IIC

IIS

In testimony whereof I have signedmy name 

